Rallies to Be Held Nationwide on January 30 in Response to Continued Anti-Asian Hate

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

National Press Contact: Charles Jung and Justin Zhu, press@asianjusticerally.org, 415-762-3100.

Asian American and Pacific Islander communities are coming together in San Francisco, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Philadelphia for a national commemoration of the one year anniversary of the murder of Vicha Ratanapakdee and honoring the victims of anti-Asian hate and bias.

The six cities will be holding synchronous rallies and press conferences and a coordinated moment of silence at 2:45 ET/1:45 CT/11:45 PT.

The national organizers, Stand with Asian Americans (SwAA) and APAs vs. Hate (AvH), shared their purpose for bringing together the coalition: “The death of Vicha Ratanapakdee was a rallying point for the Asian American community in our effort. Unfortunately, anti-Asian violence and xenophobia continues to this day. Individuals, including the elderly and students, are subject to harassment and discrimination. These rallies reflect the community’s continued calls to end racism, for sustained intervention and investment by public officials, and inclusive solutions to combat hate and prejudice.”

City Specific Information:

Atlanta

Local Organizers: Center for Pan Asian Community Services (CPACS), Thai Association of Georgia (TAG), National Association of Chinese Americans (NACA), Georgia Advancing Progress PAC (GAPPAC), Asian American Advocacy Fund – Georgia Chapter, Georgia Asian Pacific American Bar Association (GAPABA), Atlanta Korean American Committee Against Asian Hate

Press Contact: Victoria Huynh, victoria.huynh@cpacs.org, (770) 936-0969 ext. 137
Time: 2:00 pm ET
Location: The Atlanta event will be virtual rally and in-person press conference at CPACS, 3510 Shallowford Rd, Atlanta, GA 30341

Chicago

Local Organizers: Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community (CBCAC), OCA Greater Chicago, Asian American Bar Association of Greater Chicago
Press Contact: Grace Chan McKibben, gracechan@cbcacchciago.org, 773-405-6770
Time: 1:15-2:00 pm CT
Location: Virtual

Los Angeles

Local Organizers: Thai Community Development Corporation (Thai CDC), OCA-Greater Los Angeles
Press Contact: Chanchanit Martorell, chancee@thaicdc.org, (323) 468-2555
Time: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm PT
Location: Wat Thai Temple, Los Angeles, 8225 Coldwater Canyon Ave., North Hollywood, CA 91605.

New York City

Local Organizers: Stand with Asian Americans, Asian American Federation
Press Contact: Diana, diana@standwithasianamericans.com
Time: 2:00 pm ET
Location: Foley Square, New York, NY 10013

Philadelphia

Press Contact: Jimmy Chong, chong@chonglawfirm.com, 215-909-5204
Time: 2:00 pm ET
Location: Philadelphia City Hall – North Apron (by the Flag Poles)

San Francisco

Local Organizers: Stand with Asian Americans, APAs vs. Hate, Stand with Asians, Asians Are Strong, Delta Chinatown Initiative, Dear Community

Press Contact: Charles Jung, press@asianjusticerally.org, 415-762-3100
Time: 11:00 am PT.
Location: Rally begins at top of Sonora Lane steps (Terra Vista Ave. & Encanto Ave.) in San Francisco. Short march to the site of the fatal attack.

About the Rallies:

The Asian Justice Rallies are being held in six cities: San Francisco, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Atlanta. It is a national event on January 30, 2022, the anniversary of death of 84-year old Thai grandfather Vicha Ratanapakdee, commemorating Mr. Ratanapakdee, the hundreds of victims of anti-Asian violence, and the thousands of persons subjected to anti-Asian hate. More information can be found at asianjusticerally.org.

About Anti-Asian Hate:

According to Stop AAPI Hate, a total of 10,370 hate incidents against Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) persons were reported to their organization between March 19, 2020, and September 30, 2021. Of the hate incidents reflected in their report, 4,599 occurred in 2020 (44.4%) and 5,771 occurred in 2021 (55.7%). According to their research, one in five Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders experienced a hate incident in the past year. The top types of encounters are: verbal harassment, shunning, physical assault, online harassment, and other civil rights violations. Read more at stopaapihate.org.

About Vicha Ratanapakdee:

Vicha Ratanapakdee was an 84 year-old Thai American grandfather who was assaulted on January 28, 2021. He died of his injuries on January 30. The assault became emblematic of the wave of anti-Asian attacks and bias incidents occurring across the country as the COVID-19 pandemic swept the world, targeting individuals out of fear, racism, and xenophobia.